Michael Cook

Michael R. "Mike" Cook, 58, of Burfordville passed away Monday, April 3, 2006, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Jan. 1, 1948, in Cape Girardeau, son of Raymond and Ella Mae Hutson Cook. He and Nancy Bowers were married July 12, 1969.

In August 1967, he was inducted into the United States Army. He was honorably discharged in May 1969 as a sergeant E-5.

Michael was a carpenter many years, working for Rick McDonald Construction of Cape Girardeau, Rickard Construction of Cape Girardeau, and Penzel Construction of Jackson. He worked 13 years at Zalma High School teaching woodworking, electricity, metal work, power mechanics and drafting.

He was a dealer for Gold Seal Steel Buildings and Vigortone Mineral & Feed. In 1995 he originated Michael Cook & Son Construction, with a recent emphasis in custom cabinetry.

He was a lifelong member of Burfordville Baptist Church, where he was a deacon 30 years, Sunday school director, former Sunday school teacher, and instrumental in church construction and parsonage remodeling.

Mike's survivors include Nancy, his loving wife of 35 years; son and daughter-in-law, Andy and Marisa Cook of Burfordville; his parents, Raymond and Ella Mae Cook of Burfordville; a brother, Tim (Helen) Cook of Burfordville; sister, Sally (Robert "Bud") Allen and their children Dan, Mark, and Elizabeth of Brush, Colo.

Also surviving are two sisters-in-law, Doris (Cleo) Crites of Cottonwood, Ariz., Doris' children, Mark Crites of Tucson, Ariz., and Julie (Brian) Petersen of Kyle, Texas; Jackie (Phil) Becker of Cumming, Ga., children, David (Laura) Bowers of Cumming and Craig (Deidre) Bowers of Clarence, N.Y.; two great-nieces and two great-nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Ted and Norma Bowers, and a brother-in-law, Bill Bowers.

Friends may call today from 3 to 8 p.m., at McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson. An American Legion service will be held at 7.

The funeral will be Friday, at 11 a.m. at the funeral home, with the Revs. Morris Cobb and Jim Cogdill officiating. A committal service will be held at 1 p.m. at Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, with full military honors.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to Burfordville Baptist Church.

Sympathy messages may be sent to the family online at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.